Adjustable splint



G. RICHMOND I y 2,401,107

ADJUSTABLE SPLINT l i INI/ENT GEORGE R/c//MaA/o.

May 28, 1946. G. RICHMOND 2,401,107

ADJUSTABLE SPLINT FiledJun'e 15, 194s 5 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. GEORGE RJCHMOND,

May 28, 1946. G. RICHMOND ADJUSTABLE SPLINT Filed June 15, 1943 3 Sheets-Shee 5 0 0 O O O 0 0 0 y-- Mul 01./ 5

IN VEN TOR. GEORGE /(HMNZZ ATTKNEY Patented vMay 28, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE A t y2,401,107 ADJUSTABLE sPLIN'r George Richmond, Brooklym'N. Y. Application June 15,1943, serial No. 490,804

(ci. 12a-ss) Claims.

'I'he present invention relates to appliances forK immobilizing splinting, andfor supporting fractured limbs, and has for its principal object the provision of a device of the character described, designed primarily for use in emergencies,

though the appliance is capable of effective sur- 'gical use generally.

Essentially, the device, because ofits simplicity ing both splintpockets with enclosed splints, on

Fig. y13.

of operation, can be used`efciently, even during blackouts.- gas attacks, hazardous conditions.

Among the featuresof the present invention is the provision of a` strong but light extensible splint, which can be applied to arm or leg and is adapted to aiford support to the limb as well as being adapted to enable traction and countertraction. In addition, a. single splint can be used in an emergency for immobilization Lof both lower limbs; one or more splints can be utilized for fractured ribs, injuries to the chest, injuries to the spine or injuries to the pelvis with a little simple adjustment. Furthermore, X-rays can penetrate the wooden splint, thus enabling X-ray photographs to be taken with the splint in place without the interference of metal objects. addition, allows air to enter an underlying Wound.

Another feature of the present 4invention is the provision of a Wrap-around material provided with spaced. pockets into which splints of air-raids, or other The canvas cover, in

the special type herein disclosed, or simply boards of suitable Width, may be inserted. The area I between said padded pockets is made as wide as need be, to' accommodate the affected limb, to defend the skin from the pressure of the wooden splint producing the aggression of splint sore. Said wrap-around lis preferably provided with strap means to preventunrolling of the wrapping, and with ties or tapes for putting traction on the limb, or other purpose.

splint of my invention, showing the protrusion of the hand-grasp element from the top opening in said pocket. Fig. 3 is a lefthand end view of Fig. 1, but show- ,identical with that of cover panel 3.

lOther features of the present invention will aptively the strip I6, the piece'll, the strip i8, andU Fig. 11 is a sectionalview on line li-Il of Fig. 13.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view n une |2|2 ,or

Fig. 13.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the splintl in par-v tially extended condition, as seen in Fig. 8, and showing the interior construction and assembly.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a modification of the form of splint illustrated in the previous figures.

Fig. 15 is a section on line .I5-i5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 isv a similar section showing a somewhat vdiierent means for holding the members of the splint together.

Fig. 17 is a partial perspective view showing another modified form similar to Fig. 14.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one end of the splinting device applied to a limb with traction means being utilized.

Fig. 19 is a cross-section .of Fig. 18 through ance to provide a stretcher or cot, as the case may be.

Referring now more particularly to Figs.l 4, 5, 6, and 7, it will be observed that the splint consists of two members slidable relatively to each other to extend or shorten the splint. One member consists of a panel 2 in outline substantially To said panel 2 is attached, by screws, nails or glue, certain reinforcing and guiding elements, which are respectively the strip 4, the hand grasp piece 5, the piece 1, the strip 8, to which is secured near one end the arched leaf spring 9, and the guide rail l0. The extending portion Il of panel 2 is provided with ratchet teeth i2, each tooth being defined by a vertical or straight face and an inv Teethmay be round, square, oval,

is. attached, by screws, nails or glue, certain reinforcing guiding elements,'which are respecthe guide rail I9 whichterminates in an upstanding' portion 19a which functions* as a s top, as

'with vertical edges abutting vertical edges, and are purposely made in the form shown so that when the teeth coincide, it will be impossible to move panel 2 longitudinally relative to panel I4.

Panel 2 is substantially identical with panel 3, except that the ratchet teeth I2a in the latter ru n" in the opposite direction to that of the teeth in panel 2. This observation is also true with respect to the difference in direction of runl of the teeth 22-22a between panels I4 and I5.

Now looking at panels .3 `rand I5, it will be seen that their teeth are complementary and when meshed, will prevent the movement of the panels toward each other to shorten the ostensible length; Now, when panels 2 and 4, with their respective appendages, are assembled, as shown in Fig. 13, and the covering panels 3 and I5 attached respectively to units 2 and I4, it will be impossible to move members I and I3 relative to each other, except by unmeshing or separating the teeth, which is accomplished by grasping the hand grasp 5 in one hand and the member I3 in the other and pulling them apart, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 13. It is then possible to move members I and I3 relative to each other, to shorten or lengthen the splint, and when the desired length is achieved, the parts are released, and the teeth will be brought and kept in mesh again through the action of the arched leaf springs 9 and 20 respectively, normally acting to exert pressure against guide rails I0 and I9, and thus keep the members to which they are respectively connected, securely locked againstv inadvertent change in length of the splint.

The upper edge of member I is provided with a series of reentrant notches or yslots 23, 23, adapted to receive dowel rods, tape or the like, as the exigencies and procedure may require.

, The outer end of member I is also provided with a longitudinal open slot or notch 24, preferably of substantially keyhole outline. The outerend disposed within the pockets 3 I, 3|, can be lengthened or shortened without removing the same from said pockets. .All that is required is that the hand grasp 5 be grasped in one hand while the vbottom of /the pocket containing and including the splint is grasped in the other, and a pull exerted in opposite directions perpendicular to the plane of the splint. This will vunmesh the complementary teeth and enable the members I and I3 to be moved longitudinally relative to each other to effect the desired change in length.

If desired, additional snap fastener means may be provided for preventing the iiaps of the wrap-around from unrolling when operatively functioning. Such snap fastener means are members 39, 39, which may be arranged to engage either of the complementary members 39a, 39a, in line therewith.

Fig. 20 shows an adaptation of my appliance as a cot. This appliance comprises a sheet of canvas or similarly strong fabric or material 40 having a pair of spaced-apart pockets 4I, 4I, in which are disposed preferably boards 42, 42 of substantial height.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 14. 15, 16, and 17, the splint illustrated therein comprises two solid members and 5I, the former having a longitudinal groove 52 in the upper edge of the extension 50a, while the corresponding edge of extension 5Ia is provided with a longitudinal spline 53 adapted to move in said groove 52. In order to maintain the predetermined adjusted relation of the parts, spring lingers 54, 54, may be provided, adapted to enter holes 55, 55, in extension 5I a, said lingers being attached at their lower ends to extension 50a (Figs. 14 and 15), as indicated at 56. In lieu of said spring fingers detachable U-shaped spring clips 51 (Fig. 16) may be employed, in which event extension 50a will be provided with a series of holes 58 in alinement with holes in extension Sla. The ends o! said l clips are 4preferably provided with outwardly bent of member I3 is provided with-,what is known as a crotch curve 25 so that it may be comfortably accommodated legs.

Referring now more particularly to the wraparound, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive,

the same comprises a sheet of canvas 30 to which is attached by stitching or otherwise, pockets or.

^ the other side of the opening 32, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3. i Removable pads 36 may also` be provided for attachment in any suitable manner to the faces of the pockets or sleeves 3l. Tapes 31, 31, are provided to tie up the wrap-around, while relatively long tapesL 38, 3B. are provided tol effect traction, and so on.

Figs. l, 2, and 3 illustrate the manner in which,

in the armpits or crotch of the portions 51a, to retain the clips in place under all normal conditions, it being possible and intended to enable forceful removal of said clips when desired, as by inserting a blade between the clip and the board. The same rexpedient is applicable to the Withdrawal of the spring ringer from engagement in hole 55.

In lieu of the teeth on the panels-the teeth can be constructed on the guide rails I0a and I9a, as shown in Fig. 17, with clips I Ib being used to secure the parts together.

What I claim as new and desire to Letters Patent is:

1. A splint comprising a-pair of members in secure by edge to edge interiitting relation, complementary cooperating teeth on 'the confronting edges of A spring means disposed in said members and bearw hat members, each provided with spaced apart panels and extensions therefrom having teeth along their inner longitudinal edges, guide rails secured to the respective members, each rail projecting into the space between the panels of its companion member, one of said rails having a limit stop element at one end arranged to engage the corresponding end of the other rail, and

ing against said rails normally to retain teeth of the respective members in mesh, said teeth.

beingbrought out of mesh by exerting a pullingapart force on the said members perpendicular to their longitudinal axis.

4. A splint in accordance with claim 2, wherein the teeth are so designed and arranged that relative movement, by either longitudinal pull or push of the members relatively to each other, is

precluded.

. 5. A splint in accordance with claim 3,` wherein the teeth arey so designed and arranged that relative movement, by either longitudinal pull or push of the members relatively to each other, is precluded.

GEORGE RICHMOND. 

